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Here is a nice Deseret News article on Tori and her trip to China that released this morning. We want to emphasis again that this trip and many other of her treatments wouldn't be possible without all of the kind and generous donations to the Tori Schmanski Fund. We are very grateful and sincerely appreciate all of the support.

The Schmanski Family

Link to the article: Bringing Tori back with pictures.

Deseret Morning News, Monday, January 08, 2007

Bringing Tori back

Utah teen going to China for stem-cell treatment

By Alison Snyder
Deseret Morning News

A 30-hour flight to the other side of the world is the least of what the Schmanskis will do for their daughter.

Grandmother Sandy Schmanski, left, and dad Tim Schmanski aid Tori Schmanski. Tori was brain-injured in a car accident.

Mike Terry, Deseret Morning News
Especially if it will bring her back.

On Wednesday, Tim and Maria Schmanski will travel with their 16-year-old daughter, Tori, to Hangzhou, China, where she will receive stem cell treatment over a 32-day period at a Beike Biotechnology clinic.

"We're just trying to get more of the old Tori back," Tim Schmanski said.

One day can change everything

On June 19, 2005 — Father's Day — Tori was in a car with her younger sister and two cousins when the car rolled two times and landed upside down in a canal. Despite the water filling the interior, Tori was able to push her sister and cousin out of the submerged car but was not able to get herself out and remained trapped underwater for 15 minutes until rescuers arrived.

Tori had to be resuscitated twice on her way to the hospital. Her brain went without oxygen for an estimated 25 minutes, Tim Schmanski said.

Tori survived, and life has never been the same for the Schmanski family. Tori has brain damage — an anoxic brain injury, to be exact — leaving her unable to speak, eat or move her limbs. Her parents spent nine months with her in the hospital as she battled pneumonia, digestive problems, seizures and vomiting, switching nights sleeping in a chair at her side.

Tim and family we will be with you on the whole trip and Tori is making a great differance in many brain injury people's life. Tim I can not wait for the up dates you are doing a great thing for Tori and one day she will tell you. Take as many pictures as possibles. Talk to you soon.
Jerrall

Hi there!!

Only three days left before Tori and our adventure begins!! Tori's passport DID ARRIVE on Friday!! I immediately packaged it along with Maria and my passports and sent them overnight to our visa contact who received them Saturday and has already processed them as well!! She will be sending them via overnight mail on Monday so they should arrive Tuesday before 3:00pm. Everything seems to be in place but I'm still quite nervous because I still don't have all of the visas and passports in hand. We are cutting this far, far too close and there is zero margin or error at this point... I shudder at the thought of "What if I hadn't started this process so far in advance?!?!"...

Our living room is now the 'packing room' and there are 5 very large sized suitcases, 4 medium sized suitcases, 3 carry bags and a large backpack strewn across the floor. We are packing 175lbs of Tori's liquid Jevity food because it is unavailable in China. Of course some of that has to be carried onto the plane so Tori can eat during the travel time. Also in our hands will be all of her medications and other medical supplies. I have been in contact with the airlines and the TSA and have all of the proper documentation needed in hand so we 'should' not have any issues. Packing for a 32 day trip isn't easy and since there are numerous items we can't afford to forget we have created a large spreadsheet and will be checking off items as they are packed. I can just see the faces of the airline staff already when we pull into the airport in two cars, Tori and all of that heavy luggage :-)

Tori is remaining healthy and has been watching the packing exercise from her room since our living room sits directly across from it. We keep asking her her if she is ready for her trip to China but she is most attentive when we mention the stop in Paris along the way. Going to Paris was one of her dreams and it is too bad we will just be changing planes there this time... Touring Paris will have to wait for now.

Tori was also entertained by some more photographers and interviewers over the past couple days. Combined with the numerous visitors and well wishers she has been keeping very busy. She has to know something different and BIG is coming soon. Tori's recent media attention has brought us in contact with numerous other families and individuals in similar situations including several who are now scheduling for the same stem cell treatment in China. We are always very willing to share our knowledge and experiences with others who can hopefully provide the same information to us. Sharing and learning from others is vital to continued progress for Tori. We are quite open and will at the very least investigate ANY possible treatments or solutions that may help Tori. But that certainly doesn't mean we will act on them all. We know that we can always do more for Tori.

Brendan, Whitney and Grandpa and Grandma Schmanski are also getting prepared to maintain the home and daily activities. Maria and I have little worries because Brendan and Whitney are in the best hands they can possibly be in. But we are already missing them and we haven't left yet...

There was some more very encouraging stem cell news reported this week and here are two related articles: Report: Amniotic fluid yields stem cells and Human stem cells found in amniotic fluid: report

Thank you as always for your love, prayers and support.

The Schmanski Family

Tim,Maria and Tori: You Guys do not know me. I live in Mapleton Utah I am 20... I Check Tori's updates Daily. She is such a fighter. I can not believe how far she has came. I hope that your trip to China will continue her progression. One of my dear friends Jessica was in a accident and she is now suffering from (TBI) She also has a very inspiring Web Site it is www.prayforjessica.com
Tori is a beautiful girl. I have learned so much about TBI from your site and threw one of your links ( Micheal) I hope that the stem Cell will help tori just as much as it has Micheal, and the others that have made the long trip. I wish you the best. And i pray for your Family
Take Care, Whitney Wing

I just wanted to tell Maria how amazing she did on the News the other night. I was soooo proud of you!!!! You looked beautiful too! Just like Tori! Good things are going to happen this new year for all of you. Good luck in China, I will miss you!

Mare

Thank you for your recent message on Chelsea's website (www.prayforchelsea.com) I can't help but think what incredible, amazing young girls we have to be going through an experience like this. I too, believe the healing will happen! We have been praying for Tori and family since we found out about her. Yesterday, we too were at PCMC for a follow up appt. I wish we could have been there at the same time so we could have met. I think the girls would have a lot in common, and will one day enjoy talking to each other, whether it be about friends, dance, family or recovering from a brain injury. Best wishes to you as you travel to China. I hope she can recieve the best care possible, and be closer to recovery. She deserves it! Much love, thoughts and prayers. Wendy & Chelsea Franklin

Fats Build Your Brain

No offense, but you have a fat head! About two-thirds of your brain is composed of fats. But not just any kind.

Your brain cells require very specialized fats – the same ones that built the brains of your prehistoric ancestors and enabled them to learn and evolve at such a fast rate. These same fats are even now being incorporated into the very structure of your brain.

Omega 3, 6, 9,

Omega 9 good source is Extra Virgin Olive Oil,

Omega 3, Flax Seed oil, Hemp seed Oil.

They also sale DHA Fatty Acids in a pill at health food stores. But They have 2 types one of from Fish oil's.

The One from Plants is more Human Friendly.

For more Info on the human Brain check out this web site.
http://www.fi.edu/brain/fats.htm

Now Moveing on. Ya wana make sure Tori is getting Essential Amino Acids, because Amino Acids from Protins are used to make the nurotransmitter that allow your brain cells to network and commuicate.

This Product has 18 Essential Amino Acids out of 20 essental amino acid index.
http://www.manitobaharvest.com/products/index.asp?itemID=158
Its Hemp Protein Powder.

Now to get Micronutrients from Fruit and Veggies, Eating them Uncooked, Or Put them into a Omega Juicer. There is Micronutrients that Doctors dont know how they work yet.

Healthy monounsaturated fats are found also in avocados, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans, eggs, mackerel, and herrings, as well as in sesame, palm, corn, sunflower, and soybean oils.

I found something saying that Pot like drug helps Brain cell growth
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,172194,00.html
Marijuana-Like Drug Increases Brain Cells, Relieves Depression.

It would not even shock me at all Hemp Protein and hemp seed oil is really good for the brain as study's show.

Garlic and ginger is also good for the body.

A good Topic is howto Increase the IQ By eating the right foods and drinking the right liquid's. Water is life of all liveing things.

Hello again,

Wow!!! Only six more days and we are China bound with Tori!! It seems like time is really accelerating on us now. Again, I apologize for the delayed updates lately but it has been quite crazy with trying to get everything ready for the trip itself, keeping Tori healthy and going, doing news interviews and the like and unfortunately, trying to get Tori's passport... I was told today that it was IN THE MAIL and should finally arrive tomorrow though I'll believe it when it is truly in my hands. My visa contact is ready and waiting and she'll have everything done within 24 hours so we should be fine. I'll only feel fine when the all of our passports and visas are in my hands of course!! :-)

Thank you!! Thank you!! and Thank you!! again for all of the supportive verbal and web based comments, email and Donations that have occurred over the past few days!! It is greatly appreciated and we are ever so grateful. The recent news coverage ( Daily Herald , KUTV and KSL 1160 Radio ) about Tori's stem cell treatment and trip has generated alot of interest and awareness. She has many, many more new supporters. I promise I will reply to all of you who have contacted me but please give me a few days to try and catch up :-) There will likely be more articles and stories coming over the weekend and prior to our departure.

Now, moving on to Tori who is still doing well and is thankfully staying healthy. She was very interested in the KUTV crew when they were over at our home and was quite calm and responsive. Today Tori, Maria and Grandma Schmanski travelled up to the PCMC (Primary Children's Medical Center) in Salt Lake City for a baclofen pump refill and phenol injections throughout her upper body. They did put Tori under anesthesia this time and rightly so as they injected into her arms, forearms, shoulders, pectorals and all over her back. Tori could not receive botox injections because it hasn't been 3 months since her last injections. Giving them to her prior to 3 months would be unhealthy and dangerous so we will wait until we return from China to get the botox injections. Usually phenol and botox injections are given in combination but having the phenol injections alone will provide Tori plenty of relief from her spasticity.

In closing tonight I've included some information below from Beike Biotechnology who is providing Tori and many others the stem cell treatments.

Thank you as always for your love, prayers and support.

The Schmanski Family

Our Treatment:

Our treatment approach is a holistic one. We do not only provide patients with stem cell transplants but we also put each patient into a complete rehabilitation program. Typically the treatment includes of four stem cell injections of over 10 million stem cells each over a 20 to 25 day period with rehabilitation 6 days per week. The stem cells are transfused into the patients via the bloodstream (Intravenous Transfusion) and into the Cerebral Spinal Fluid via an Epidural Catheter placed in the lumbar region of the spinal column. With each Stem Cell Transplant we also give the patients a transfusion of Neural Growth Factors to encourage the stem cells to find their targets and transform into new neurons.

In addition we also offer our adult clients the opportunity to have a Bone Marrow Transplant during their stay. This involves removing the patients own bone marrow, culturing, expanding and purifying the stem cells from it and then transfusing it back into the patient. This treatment is optional and does have an additional cost per procedure.

The rehabilitation program consists of a tailored mix of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Acupuncture, Manipulation, ADL (Activities of Daily Life) education and Chinese massage. It is this holistic approach combined with the incredible power of the stem cells that gives our clients the best chance for improvements. Not all of these therapies are right for all patients. An on-site evaluation will be done upon your arrival and at that time you and the rehabilitation specialists will determine what the right mix will be.

Tim and family,
I HOPE all of your wishes come true in china!!!!
Tell Tori she has 2 new friends that are thinking about her and praying for her!!!!
Kristen and Camron Rusignuolo

Tim, Maria and Tori met up with Fields Moseley and his crew of 2 News @ 10PM. They were at the house around 6pm. They asked questions and shot for a long hour before heading to "The Dance Club" in Orem in order to present live from there. This was on Channel 2 in Utah of course.

The piece aired on our beloved Tori Schmanski and her upcoming trip to China was fantastic. Grandma Schmanski, Tori, Maria, Tim and Brendan did very well in front of the camera. Whitney was at Dance at the time.

Here is the Link to the video on the kutv.com site.

Love,
-Guy